Rotterdam - Maritime Museum

(Local Name: Maritiem Museum Prins Hendrik) At Leuvehaven 1 is the plain windowless concrete structure of the Maritime Museum (Maritiem Museum Prins Hendrik), designed by the architect Wilhelm G. Quist. From the entrance lobby visitors enter the very functional main hall, with gangways leading to the upper floors, which connect with one another without dividing walls. The effect is enhanced by the abundance of glass and steel and the exposed pipes carrying services.

The museum has a large collection of material on the history of shipping and seafaring since the 17th century. In addition to ship models (including a reconstruction of a 2,000- year-old vessel), maps and atlases there are numerous pictures vividly depicting scenes from seafaring life, as well as film shows and periodic special exhibitions. Attached to the main museum is an open-air museum in the Leuvehaven, with more than 20 ships dating from between 1850 and 1950, including two steam tugs, several sailing ships and above all the "Buffel", a rebuilt ironclad of the Dutch Navy (in service from 1868 to 1896), with a completely equipped upper deck, officers' cabins, etc., as well as exhibitions on 19th century seafaring. On the quay are various pieces of equipment, a ropewalk, cranes and naval workshops.